About Devon

Devon is a county of contrasts, from the sandy surf beaches of North Devon, to the crystal clear waters and pretty coves of South Devon,
with rugged Dartmoor sandwiched in between. Whether you’re finding your sea legs in the sailing mecca of Salcombe, exploring the South West Coast Path with your dog in tow,
or simply enjoying a Devon cream tea, a holiday in Devon is hard to beat.

About Cornwall

With the longest stretch of continuous coastline in the country and over 300 beautiful beaches to choose from,
it’s no surprise that Cornwall is such a popular holiday destination. Here, you can explore white-washed fishing villages,
catch a wave on one of the UK’s best surfing beaches, discover the myths and legends of Bodmin Moor,
visit one of the many art galleries and indulge in Cornwall’s flourishing foodie scene.

About Dorset

Dorset is famous for its rolling countryside, pretty, thatched villages and 95 miles of breath-taking World Heritage Jurassic Coast.
Where else can you follow in the footsteps of dinosaurs and search for fossils on the beach, walk along the South West Coast Path to a cosy country pub,
kayak through iconic Durdle Door or live the life of luxury on the exclusive golden peninsula of Sandbanks?

Popular Places

All Dorset Locations

About the New Forest

Home to one of the largest unspoilt areas of forest and heathland in the country, free-roaming wildlife and ancient landscapes,
the New Forest is an idyllic place for a holiday, only 90 minutes from London.
Stay in historic villages and explore the great outdoors with walks and cycle rides through ancient woodland,
or relax in the seaside towns and south coast beaches of the Solent.

About Somerset

A holiday in Somerset never fails to leave a lasting impression. From the long sandy beaches of Minehead and Weston-Super-Mare,
to the rugged wilderness of Exmoor, Somerset is filled with beautiful and diverse landscapes. Add to that the Roman city of Bath,
Glastonbury Festival and plenty of Somerset cider, there’s something to suit just about anyone.

South Huish

all you need to know

South Huish is a tiny rural hamlet nestled in picturesque countryside close to some of the most beautiful beaches in South Devon.

About South Huish

South Huish is a tiny hamlet, peacefully nestled in picturesque countryside in one of the loveliest corners of Devon, between the sailing mecca of Salcombe and popular village of Thurlestone.

Less than a mile away is the beach at Thurlestone Sands, wonderful for sunbathing, swimming and watersports. The village of Thurlestone is a little further on, home to the recently refurbished Village Inn, and the famous links golf course. The beautiful waterside town of Salcombe, with its array of independent boutiques, cafés and pubs and family-friendly golden beaches is only 3 miles away.

Other excellent beaches in the vicinity include South Milton Sands, Hope Cove and Soar Mill Cove, to name just a few, and the nearby South Huish Reserve, visited by up to 200 bird species a year, is a fantastic spot for nature lovers to relax and watch the wildlife.

The pretty market town of Kingsbridge is just a 10-minute drive away and offers a good selection of shops, restaurants and pubs, plus two supermarkets, a small cinema and a leisure centre with indoor pool.

A holiday cottage in South Huish offers an idyllic rural escape from everyday life, close one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in South Devon.

Moving Tides
(Less than a mile)

Moving Tides offers sea kayaking trips and courses for older children and adults around the beautiful South Hams coastline and estuaries. Run by highly qualified BSU guides, this is an exhilarating way to get out on the water and explore the areas secluded coves and beaches, experiencing all kinds of wildlife along the way. Top of the range equipment is provided to ensure everyone's experience is warm, safe and fun.

My 2 children, aged 17 & 20 went sea kayaking with Drew. Being end of season, and a bit choppy, Drew recommended 2 hours. Unfortunately it ended up being 1 hour, as my daughter got sea sick.!! Much to her embarrassment!! Drew was great tho. Attached a line to her kayak, to help her back to the bay. Wet suits and all equipment were supplied. Would highly recommend.. Thank you Drew.

October 2018

Salcombe Shooting School
(2 miles)

Founded 20 years ago by Royal Marine Chris, and set in a valley in Bolberry, Salcombe Shooting School makes for the perfect location to simulate game shooting. They provide a variety of targets and a wonderful training ground for those wanting to hone their clay shooting skills. A fun and safe experience for all ages and levels, the school provides all safety equipment and offers individual lessons from £50 for an hour or two sharing for £80 for 90 minutes. They also offer air rifle sessions and cater for shooting parties which can be a wonderful way to spend birthdays, hen parties and stag dos in the South West.

Thurlestone Golf Club
(2 miles)

On the coast with spectacular views of the sea, Thurlestone Golf Club can be seen from the beach and is fortunate enough to be on a beautiful section of the South West Coast Path. The 18-hole course is a mix of links and cliff top terrain and aims to cater to all ages and abilities with a variety of tees. All visitors are welcome and will be pleased to know that there are two bars on site as well as a separate dining room. Green fees vary according to the season but start at £36 per person in the low season. As with most golf courses, there is a dress code so golf shoes must be worn and denim isn’t allowed, but a full list or restrictions are listed on their main website.

The Voyage Spa
(2 miles)

Indulge in a spot of pampering at The Voyage Spa in Thurlestone's iconic hotel. Having recently gone under a complete refurbishment, this beautiful spa combines luxurious modern facilities with a boutique touches to celebrate the regions nautical past. There are three beauty rooms offering a range of treatments as well as a pool, sauna, hydrotherapy pool, fitness studio, steam room and a laconium.

Bantham Surfing Academy
(3 miles)

Operating from the car park at postcard perfect surfer’s paradise Bantham Beach, Bantham Surfing Academy is run by experienced SurfingGB qualified instructors who offer tuition and coaching for all levels, including beginners, as well as supervised surfing sessions and a Kids Club. In addition to surfing lessons, the team offer Stand Up Paddle Boarding lessons, hire and tours around Burgh Island and the River Avon, and lifeguard and surf instructor tuition and qualifications.

Pretty Local - Hope Cove
(Less than a mile)

Like an online supermarket only better, Pretty Local supplies boxes of delicous local produce direct to your South Hams holiday home. Discover the fantastic food products that West Country has to offer including fresh fish & seafood, high quality meat, organic veg, cakes, treats and lots more all brought together on one website, order by midnight the Wednesday before you arrive or during your stay for delivery Friday or Saturday.

We used Pretty Local during our stay in Hope Cove after finding their details on the Toad Hall Cottages website. Andrea couldn’t have been more helpful in arranging our order & we arrived at our cottage to a fridge full of delicious local produce. Everything was locally sourced & was delicious, without any unnecessary packaging. The meat was particularly amazing! Would highly recommend using this fabulous service-we’ll be using them again next time we visit the area.

January 2019

The Hope & Anchor
(Less than a mile)

Central to the village and just steps from the beach, this is a warm and welcoming pub with characterful interiors and a spacious outside terrace. Friendly staff serve hearty breakfasts, lunches and dinners using fresh local ingredients as well as a range of coffees, local ales and other drinks.

Great pub in a great location, good pub food and nice beers ( and Rattler Cyder )

June 2018

Good food and great location

June 2018

Had a lovely evening meal. Very busy, but the staff were brilliant and hurried things up for us as we had young children with us.

June 2018

The beer was probably the best in Hope Cove but the service was slow and food was average.

May 2018

Plenty of room and helpful staff, although lacks a bit of atmosphere in my opinion. My partner loved his fish and chips however I had the seafood curry and although it was very tasty with a Thai style sauce the quality of the seafood let it down. The mussels were tiny and vastly inferior to others I had eaten that week. There is quite a lot of very good food in the area and although my other half was happy, I wouldn't rush back.

April 2018

Very friendly staff - happy to recommend and very dog friendly

January 2018

Nice local pub in a lovely location. Good choice of beer and wine.

January 2018

Really friendly staff who are donating all their tips this month to charity. When you visit look up to read the jokes written on the beams. They may make you groan but you will have to smile if only at everybody's reactions.

November 2017

Excellent food and drinks, friendly and efficient service, and most importantly dog friendly throughout the building.
Ate there most nights during our stay in Hope Cove

November 2017

Great food, friendly staff and a gorgeous view.

October 2017

OK. Same generic menu as other St Austell pub/restaurants. Huge - caters for the masses. Fish and chips were fine.

October 2017

Great food and just the right amount of choice, Great service. Thanks

September 2017

Restricted menu but the food was excellent quality and value with super service. Recommended.

Very friendly and efficient staff who made us feel welcome with the dog. The food was served very quickly and was very tasty!

July 2017

Had a superb breakfast before a horrible drive home so very friendly and helpful. Would certainly recommend to all

July 2017

Every time we visit hope cove,we come here.The food is 5 star,had seabass and mackerel on 2 separate visits.taste amazing.The service from the staff,both on food and bar was first class,nothing was to much trouble,also rattleys cider is on draught,just perfect.

July 2017

Very busy. Great staff. Cod and chips, delicious and very reasonably priced.

July 2017

Lovely food and staff. Very dog friendly too. Most welcoming...we went back twice. Thank you

Great local pub when you are staying in Hope Cove. Really friendly and welcoming staff who are well presented and very helpful. Menu varied and all the food we ate, was very well cooked and tasty.

June 2017

Superb location with sea views from the upstairs dining room and terrace. A quality varied menu and the seafood was excellent.

May 2017

Lovely location and wide menu choices. Food was great and service good.

May 2017

Great pub with amazing food- fishfinger bun and chips delicious and lots of other more grown up fish dishes to choose from. Happy, fun staff and super atmosphere. Nicely buzzing every time we went there . Ping pong table ,too !

May 2017

Are here twice great food, daily fish of the day was lovely, we didn't book but the staff accommodated us and were lovely and chatty. Dogs made very welcome too

May 2017

Excellent, very kid friendly and great food.

May 2017

A very welcoming place with good food and very pleasant staff

April 2017

Lovely food and family friendly.

December 2016

Great pub! Massive improvement on the last time we came before the renovation. On sunny days we say out on the balcony looking out to sea, then when it rained we cosied up inside. The place is huge and the food was really good too. We ended up in there almost every day!

The Cove is definitely the place to eat and drink in Hope Cove. The staff are wonderful and nothing is too much trouble. The food is amazing, especially the seafood which is so fresh and beautifully cooked. The menu is varied and there is something for everyone. Great position with an outside terrace with sea views, cushions and throws for the chilly evenings. Highly recommended.

May 2019

Friendly, busy little place. Enjoyed drinks here.

May 2019

Excellent food, reasonably priced, great atmosphere and very friendly staff and owners.

April 2019

Love this pub/restaurant. We always have a good meal here every time we visit.

April 2019

We had pizza from the new Pizza kitchen, it was absolutley delicious. As were the nachos and skinny fries. Yummy. The staff are really helpful and friendly, the place has a fab vibe. We've been numerous times and its always great.

March 2019

Favourite place to eat and drink. Excellent food, staff are friendly and the atmosphere enhanced with candles and a log fire. The Seafood chowder is delightful and food is fresh and tasty. The other plus it's dog friendly. Worth a visit

January 2019

Stayed in Hope Cove a number of times over the last couple of years and have always eaten at The Cove, Friendly service, great food and a fantastic selection of beers They have now created a balcony on the second floor. Looks great,

November 2018

Me and my partner arrived home from our week holiday at this property yesterday. I have to say Shippen Cottage in Hope Cove is the best place I’ve been too and was the best holiday I have had. The cottage was clean, had everything you would need to enjoy your stay. The log burner made it so cosy in the evenings. The cottage is a few steps away from the beach which was great. We got to watch the sunset over the sea every night which was magical! I managed to get lots of great photos. The back garden area is great to have your dinner whilst looking out onto the beach. So glad we found this cottage and we really look forward to returning.

October 2018

Had a lovely meal here for our last night in Hope Cove. Myself and my daughter had the seafood platter to share.. wow..there was loads on there and so tasty! Worth the money!

October 2018

Ate there almost every night, very good.

October 2018

We read the reviews and looked forward to visiting. We were disappointed! We were on holiday in Hope Cove w/c 15/09/2018. Yes the staff are very friendly but we found the atmosphere in the pub cold.
We were going to order food but the tables were tacky to touch and the place just didn’t smell clean. We decided to eat next door. Sorry because the view and beers are great.

September 2018

We visited on three nights, great food and atmosphere, we visited in september and it was pretty busy

September 2018

Absolutely fantastic course and club. Warm welcome from everyone, the most amazing views and the best selection of ladies clothing i have ever seen in a UK pro shop.

September 2018

Supercool place but the photo here is way out of date and the extension and opening up of the top floor has encroached somewhat into the street which was pretty narrow to begin with. I'm a fan of the food and the beer which are both excellent: I'm not a fan of the non booking policy or of the very long waits for tables and food during busy periods. Like most of the South Hams its probably best visited out of high season.

September 2018

What a find a must for anyone going to Hope Cove - great food, beer and atmosphere

August 2018

Fantastic atmosphere and lovely take away pizzas

August 2018

We loved this place and had pizza there twice, and they did a gluten free pizza for my coeliac son.

August 2018

Inspirational place. High green ethics so heartening to see. Innovative, fantastic staff, great food. Had 3 takeaway pizzas which were the best pizzas we had ever tasted. Lovely balcony upstairs with stunning views and great artisan ales to try - 3 for £5.

August 2018

Good food, friendly staff. Very busy in evening - better for lunchtime.

July 2018

Great beer and the best pizzas we have ever had. Welcoming and friendly staff and great service.

May 2018

Great location and great food , it was very busy ,great atmosphere the staff were lovely and so helpful trying to ensure you managed to get a table . Also dog friendly which was a bonus when coming off the beach and having a drink on the Sun deck . We will be back .

May 2018

Great place, service, food and beer excellant !!

May 2018

Totally revamped recently and an excellent addition to Hope Cove.

May 2018

Fabulous, tasty food and very friendly helpful service. Good quality fish and seafood. Very cosy and a bit of a tight squeeze with our two dogs but the staff were very helpful and accommodating. We ate here 3 times during our week and would definitely return as long as they don't get too busy following rave reviews!

April 2018

Really good extension, will be stunning in the Summer. Excellent food.

January 2018

Great to see the upstairs is now open. Still retains the same great vibe, and the food and service are lovely. Highly recommended.

January 2018

Smaller than it seems from the outside but the food is excellent and the staff very friendly

November 2017

We ate here twice in a week. The food is fabulous and the staff are very friendly and welcoming. Very dog friendly too. Will definitely visit again.

October 2017

Lovely bar/restaurant in the centre of Hope. Nice ambience. Nice beer too! We've been before and were more than happy to make a return visit. We also had excellent pizzas as a takeaway on our last evening. To be recommended.

October 2017

Stayed in Hope Cove for a week and visited this cafe bar towards the end of the holiday. Found it to be excellent: friendly staff, quick service, and high quality food. Great fish and chips! If we had gone earlier in the week we would have visited again for sure. Rather busy, so visit early or booking table might be a good idea.

October 2017

This is the place to eat and drink in Hope Cove! Great atmosphere and the Seafood Platter is not to be missed! Can't wait to return!!

September 2017

Unable to recommend this. Food rather poor . Its on the cheap side but you get what you pay for.

September 2017

Excellent pub. Welcoming staff and superb food and beer selection. Loved this little gem of a place

September 2017

Visited on 17/08/2017 evening - we were told there would be a wait for food however it was much longer than initially mentioned - when our food came it was cold - we complained - the lady manager did apologise - and made us food to take away. Also not paying for the food. Appreciated that this was done - however they really need perhaps to look at capacity of food orders the kitchen can deal with.

August 2017

Had a great Gluten Free meal with great service but get there early its a very popular place

August 2017

We visited a few times and thought it was the best place to eat in the Cove!! Would definitely recommend it!

August 2017

Great to see the upstairs now open and thriving. Shelly, Toby and the team always give us a great welcome, and remember the kids names and (ice cream) preferences too, which is a much appreciated addition to the great food, service, sports n music nights. A must for us!!

August 2017

Great little place, very busy. The food was very nice and the service was excellent.

Went there for a meal for 4 adults and one child. Food was terrific the kiddies meal was devoured rapidly by the little one. Good price and very welcoming although rather chummy inside

June 2017

We ordered 3 cream teas, for 3 adults and a toddler........ maybe we should have ordered 2 and shared, there was so much. The scones were amazing and the coffee was spot on. Do go inside to order tho as I stood at the hatch for 10mins and was ignored.

June 2017

A great atmosphere , super ,friendly staff and lovely food - vegetarian breakfast was the best !

Just had an amazing week in Hope Cove with incredible weather and ate here on two occasions. Both equally enjoyable. Cosy atmosphere, log fire, friendly staff , great food and dogs welcome! Loved it!! Thank you

February 2017

Love this place. Great music, open fire, really good food. Always a good vibe in there, friendly staff and good service. Lovely range of drinks too! Such a good addition to the village.

The Beach House
(Less than a mile)

Fantastic beach café by day transforming into a romantic beach shack style seafood restaurant by night, and well worth a visit. Booking is essential for the evenings when delicious seafood dishes are produced from a tiny kitchen. A more limited menu as well as ice creams, coffees and snacks are available during the day.

Good food and local beer, rather expensive for lunch and adequate service.

October 2018

The food was good, but way too expensive. And for those prices one should get friendly instead of snobbish staff.

October 2018

If you're looking for a truly stunning location to have dinner then this is a must visit as it sits right on the beach with some amazing views when the weather is right. Food is pretty good, wine list short and not particularly inspiring. Prices a bit too high. Unfortunately the staff here all think they're 'it' and are way to busy sweeping their pony tails to one side to get the service right. The take away service is particularly poor with 30 - 45 minute waits and a £10 bill for 2 coffees and a brownie! On the night we ate their we were also asked to share a table despite booking nearly 5 months in advance. When you're spending £100+ on a romantic meal it's not quite what you expect.

September 2018

Excellent food and service had a great lunch

August 2018

Very friendly and lovely food, you do need to book a table

July 2018

With such a location and good food and friendly staff a reason to visit Devon all on it's own,

June 2018

What a delightful surprising find ! Food and wine selection amazing for a beach side bar , staff friendly and will recommend but ideally would like to keep this place a secret !!

June 2018

Awesome food, but pricey. But well worth a visit to try the mussels, Bang Bang Prawns and the Bakewell pudding!

June 2018

Lovely place for some beautiful food. Seating inside has to be booked in advance as only 5 tables and on busy days prepare to have a wait but it just adds to the charm!

June 2018

Great location and quality food. A little pricey though but always busy. Book well in advance if you want to eat inside on an evening.
The fish finger sandwich is the best ever!!

June 2018

Ok but service is s...l...o...w...

December 2017

Not cheap but more than worth it for the location and standard of food!

November 2017

Fantastic food and atmosphere...been here on numerous occasions and never disappoints...cannot wait to return.

October 2017

Stopped for a coffee whilst walking the coastal path. Great location and good quality coffee.

October 2017

Great location with fab views. However, we aren't sure what all the fuss is about. The coffee isn't the best and our food was average in comparison to other places locally.

September 2017

We visited The Beach House on our last evening of the holiday. The only complaint is we didn't visit sooner! What wonderful welcoming staff and superb food. A cosy place right by the sea, cooking the most delicious food. I had the scallops for main and were the best I've eaten and perfectly cooked. Love this place.

Great place to eat on a sunny day food is of high quality and the atmosphere is fab

July 2017

Excellent fish food/snacks served by happy helpful people and just next to a great beach. It can get very very busy.

July 2017

Rather expensive during the day but captive audience as no other option in the area

July 2017

Wonderful location and great food, but the prices are expensive as you're paying for its premium site. Also very small inside area so you need to book if you want to sit undercover.

May 2017

Very good but pricey and not the best service. No kids menu at breakfast, they expect children to have a £9 fry up which isn't great for our 6 and 8-year-old. We also asked for poached eggs rather than fried and they didn't do this.

May 2017

fantastic Supper and sunset view - what a wonderful find - will re-visit

April 2017

This is my favourite place to eat fish in England. Simple, delicious, friendly, atmospheric. A must.

March 2017

Amazing food and great service.

December 2016

All aboout the location. Lovekly fresh seafood :D

December 2016

Great place. Have visited in winter and summer and think I might even prefer it on a blustery winters day. The food is great and good right next to you, which does make it a little bit smelly but it's all part of the experience. The building is really unique and has an amazing location right by the beach. Summer gets a bit crazy and we found ourselves queuing a lot for the takeout food which was a bit over priced.

Hope Cove
(Less than a mile)

Hope Cove is the perfect name for this inspiringly beautiful little corner of the South Hams. Divided into two areas, Inner Hope and Outer Hope, both linked by a footpath and road, and each with their own respective beaches, Outer Hope is also home to the Hope and Anchor Pub and a collection of shops and cafes, while Inner Hope is a quieter more residential area. At Outer Hope you will find Mouthwell Sands, a sandy cove scattered with pebbles and backed by rocky cliffs with a slipway and steps from the road down to the beach. It’s a popular spot with surfers, despite being a fairly small beach, and watching the sunset from here is a beautiful way to spend the evening. There is a car park by the beach where charges apply so make sure you have cash on you as you arrive, and dogs are permitted out of season with restrictions applying from 1st May until 30th September. Meanwhile, Harbour Beach is a short stroll away and bridges the two villages of Inner and Outer Hope. It is a wide sandy beach that’s perfect for rock pooling and sand castle building, and there is a harbour wall that makes for spectacular crashing waves in the winter as well as a tempting spot from which to jump into the water in the summer at high tide. Just make sure you don’t jump in when the water is low as it’s too shallow. Harbour Beach is also an ideal spot from which to paddle board or kayak across the bay, with the really intrepid amongst us pottering all the way along the coast to Thurlestone and Burgh Island. Finally, at Inner Hope itself there is a small sandy beach that’s accessible down a slipway. This is home to the old lifeboat station and is a quiet spot that marks a juncture along the coast path from Bolberry. Speaking of which, you can walk either way along the coast from Hope Cove, either towards South Milton Sands, Thurlestone and Bantham, or towards Salcombe. If you are making a day of it then why not start at the Winking Prawn at North Sands and stop at Hope Cove for lunch?

Gorgeous place. Parking is reasonable and close to both beaches, providing easy access to SW Coastal Path. We visited early May so few other visitors around, just sat and soaked up the sun.

May 2019

We can highly recommend the Cottage Hotel and the Lobster Pod. We had 2 amazing meals, really efficient, friendly service and reasonable pricing.

September 2018

Feel this once must visit cove has gone backwards. The "pods" on the slopes of the Cottage Hotel seem completely out of character.

September 2018

This is our favourite find in the South Hams. It’s beautiful. There is everything you need nearby; lovely pubs and afternoon tea, friendly locals and beautiful beaches.

August 2018

Beautiful place with a lovely beach and several places to eat. We would definitely go back.

August 2018

Been going for years even if busy still a lovely holiday feeling.
Great to see no rubbish on the beach and facilities for people to pick up rubbish.
Fascinating for children - fish, rock pools, jelly fish etc. endless fun. Crowded when the tide comes in though.

August 2018

Great Cove. Fab location. Unfortunately the one cove had a lot of seaweed washed in due to the windy and stormy weather over our first weekend, but that can't be helped. But it meant we only went to the beach there once.

August 2018

Lovely place to walk to, great places to eat

July 2018

Great beach’s and place with good views

July 2018

Great food and great location

July 2018

Inner Hope is the best part and the village is very nice with many thatched cottages. The Sun Bay Hotel is very good and does excellent cream teas on its balcony overlooking the sea.

July 2018

Visited 16/06/18 for a week with Toad Hall Cottages. Lovely quiet location with a fabulous beach nice shops, a good pub and some good restaurants

June 2018

Very busy during the bank holiday week but superb beaches which we very much enjoyed.

Love it. And it's a great base for this part of Devon. Excellent coastal/cliff walking.

October 2017

Well worth the walk along the coastal path,stunning views and 2 nice pubs for lunch

August 2017

Lovely location, beautiful beaches and some great places to eat!

August 2017

A really nice walk over the hill tops from Thurlestone, Hope Cove is pretty but a bit busier than other places we visited. Lovely views.

July 2017

Fantastic place

July 2017

Breathtaking views, very quiet village, very peaceful.

June 2017

A beautiful coastal village with two sandy beaches. The village centre has some pretty thatched cottages and there is a good choice of places to eat most with sea views. We ate most nights at the Hope and Anchor and they are dog friendly. We enjoyed walking along the coastal paths with fine views from both sides of the village. Hope Cove is a good base to explore South Devon with Salcombe, Kingsbridge and Totnes within easy reach.

May 2017

Friendly , beautiful - everything you could want in a holiday spot - didn't matter what the weather was like ,plenty to do and see .

May 2017

Lovely and well worth a visit.

May 2017

A really pretty place with all you need fir a relaxing holiday, beautiful views and lovely coast walks

April 2017

Beautiful coves and pretty cottages

April 2017

Absolutely love this place! Perfect for families, safe swimming and and lots of rock pools to explore. Our kids were down there every day. Can't wait to come back next year. Mrs Sutton

December 2016

South Milton Sands
(Less than a mile)

A long stretch of sand broken only by the South Milton Ley freshwater reed bed, South Milton Sands is a dramatic beach that’s exposed to the elements, making it something of a chameleon throughout the year. Rugged in its beauty, there’s nothing quite like watching the sun set at this beach behind an iconic rock archway in the water; it really is spectacular, particularly if you do so over dinner in the summer months from The Beach Café, a small but perfectly formed restaurant and café that’s perched just above the sand. If you want a table inside then you really do have to book this one, but if the weather is fine then eating outside is a joy. The beach is sandy and popular on windy days with kite surfers and windsurfers, but in calmer weather is perfect for a summer swim. Dogs are welcome at South Milton throughout the year, there’s a National Trust car park by the beach which costs from £5 for the day, £3 after 4pm or is free for National Trust members. There are also toilets nearby. It’s also worth knowing that in the summer months lifeguards are in situ from 6th July until 8th September, keeping everyone safe in the sun, sea and sand. When the weather is less conducive to sitting and admiring the view, South Milton is perfectly placed for a stroll along the coast path either towards Hope Cove and around towards Salcombe if you fancy making a day of it, or in the opposite direction you can walk towards Bantham and Bigbury on Sea. It’s a wonderful place to explore and watch Devon’s wildlife in all its glory.

great beach only bad thing is its owned by the national trust and parking is £5.00 no matter how short or long you want to stay no option of paying by the hour

October 2018

A great beach but at £5 a day to visit (National Trust!) rather expensive. Variable rate better.

October 2018

Excellent beach, well maintained and dogs allowed all year round.
Great range of activities to enjoy from swimming, snorkelling, SUP, kite surfing, kayaking and scrambling when the tide is out.
Loved it and will return

June 2018

Amazin beach - especially when the tide goes out and all the rock pools come out to play!!! Shame about the coarse 'sand', but that can't be helped; just get some shingle shoes. If you want sand go to North Sands or Bantham!

Leas Foot Sands
(2 miles)

A small sandy beach belonging to Thurlestone Golf Club, those who have been on regular Devon weekend breaks and holidays will have seen this beach change somewhat in recent years thanks to storm damage, but the evolving landscape merely adds to its charm. A 200-metre walk down a paved path from the golf club and its car park and you find yourself heading down a gentle slope onto the sand, with the option of enjoying the beach in its own right or walking along the coast in either direction towards Bantham or South Milton Sands. Dogs are allowed here at any time, which of course adds to the appeal for walkers, and if you fancy stopping somewhere for lunch then Thurlestone village nearby is home to a charming pub that’s cryptically named The Village Inn, which is suitable for the whole family and wonderfully cosy in the winter months. Alternatively head to the Beachhouse café at South Milton for lunches and evenings meals with a view of the sunset, or cups of tea and brownies from the Gastrobus at Bantham. It is one of the area’s quieter beaches, often acting as a place to wander past rather than one to spend the whole day on, but given its easy access and the proximity of the car park, and the golf club, it’s a delightful little spot in which to while away the afternoon.

Great quiet beach with wonderful coastal walk alongside gold course round to Bantham. Parked free in field adjacent to golf club, although we understand they will be charging for parking soon. Only downside was that the public toilets were closed - we went October 2018.

November 2018

This is possibly the best beach in the whole of England

July 2017

A very nice beach with quite a lot of sand at times. So easy to access, even managed to get both (octogenarian) parents to it and my mother in the sea for a paddle!

July 2017

Soar Mill Cove
(3 miles)

Nestled between the cliffs in the undulating Devon landscape, Soar Mill Cove is something of a hidden gem, only really accessible on foot. The easiest way reach it by walking down from the Soar Mill Cove Hotel, where there is a car park, or if you’re making a day of your jaunt, why not stroll along the South West Coast Path from Bolberry or even from Salcombe? The beach is a mix of sand and stone and has seen a fair amount of weathering in storms in recent years, which has merely added to its character and charm. There are no facilities in the immediate vicinity unless you wander up to the hotel. Dogs are welcome throughout the year at Soar Mill Cove, and it’s definitely worth the effort to visit!

We have visited Soar Cove many times and we love the tranquility. We go out of school holidays and often have the cove all to ourselves amazing .

April 2019

Recent storms have left piles of seaweed and rocks across the beach. The rocks made it impossible to swim and board in with my family.

August 2018

This has been a hidden gem for many years with our children enjoying wonderful swimming and body boarding. I cant explain how disappointed I was to arrive in August 18 to find piles of seaweed but more importantly the damage caused by this years storms. There are rocks all over the beach where you would normally surf or swim. This has ruined a wonderful beach for the time being and will not be returning anytime soon.

August 2018

Lovely secluded cove.

September 2017

North Sands, Salcombe
(4 miles)

The first beach as you walk along the Cliff Road out of Salcombe, North Sands sits in a valley and is a sandy horseshoe shaped beach that’s expansive at low tide. Thanks to its shape and location, it’s extremely popular in the summer because there’s plenty of space to set up camp for the day with buckets, spades and fishing nets in tow for avid marine biologists and sand castle connoisseurs. The beach has a fresh water stream running through it from the top of the valley, which, aside from providing hours of entertainment for accompanying dogs and a marvellous place to wash the sand off your feet, also means that the beach is largely wet sand, so don’t forget to take something to sit on if you’re heading there for the day. Popular with swimmers, despite the chilly water, North Sands provides a wonderful view out of the mouth of the Salcombe estuary and into the deep blue yonder so, for keen photographers, it’s ideal. If the weather is right then it’s a favourite amongst body boarders or even surfers on choppier days, and it’s a great place to take the paddle boards and kayaks if you happen to have them. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round, unlike many of the beaches in the area, there are toilets over the road and there’s a car park with charges from £1 throughout the year. The cherry on top of this beautiful location is The Winking Prawn café and restaurant that’s right next to the beach. Open all year round they serve everything from breakfast, lunch and dinner to coffee, tea and cake, and in the summer they provide a barbecue in the garden overlooking the sea. It is popular though so leave a little time to queue for that Salcombe Dairy honeycomb ice cream in the height of summer!